Yarn tensioning device



Feb. 24, 1953 E. J. HEIZER YARN TENSIONING DEVICE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Dec. 50, 1949 INVENTOR. EDWARD d. HE/ZER BY 2 ATTQRNEY Feb. 24, 1953 E. J. HEIZER 2,629,561

YARN TEN-SIGNING DEVICE Filed Dec. 50, 1949 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 EDWARD Ll-HE/ZER Fly-4.

A TT'ORNEY Patented Feb. 24, 1953 YARN TENSIONING DEVICE Edward J. Heizer, Mountain Lakes, N. J assignor to Specialties Development Corporation, Belleville, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application December 30, 1949, Serial N 0. 135,910

16 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to yarn tensioning devices particularly adapted for use'in conjunction with machines for winding yarn on a package, tube, cone or bobbin, and is more particularly concerned with a yarn tension compensating device which is an improvement over the device shown in my copending application for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 770,021, filed August 22, 19%7, now Patent No. 2,554,493, issued May 29, 1951.

One of the diificulties heretofore encountered with devices of the foregoing character when handling yarn at high speeds, was that the output tension in the yarn could not be controlled as accurately as desired. For example, a yarn tensioning device adjusted to put into the yarn an average output tension of about 100 grams was tolerated even though in some cases the tension varied between about 85 and about 115 grams. Such high amplitude of tension variation, particularly when occur-ring frequently, is detrimental to the winding of high quality packages and the like and induces overstressed yarn.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a device for tensioning yarn which eliminates tension surges and reduces the amplitude of variation in tension to a minimum.

Another object is to provide such a device wherein breakage due to knots in the arn is eliminated.

Another object is to provide such a device which facilitates winding yarn at a' predetermined substantially constant maximum tension regardless of the speed, back drag or friction of the yarn.

A further object is to'provide a device of the foregoing character which is adapted for handling yarn at extremely high speed.

A still further object is to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive device which is easy to thread and pre-set for a desired tension, is fast in compensation, is durable in construction and has a low maintenance cost.

Other and further objects of the invention will 7 be obvious upon an understanding of the illusing one of the members to be urged towards th other member; a control arm operable by-the yarn passing between the members; means, such as a spring, for resisting operation of the control arm; and means operated by the control arm for causing one of the members to move away from the other member. The springs may be adjustable independently, but preferably are simultaneously adjustable to proportionately vary the effectiveness thereof; and the discs preferably are adjustable independently of the springs to normally position the same for accommodating yarns of different diameters.

The present invention further contemplates providing such .a device wherein a plurality of sets or pairs of discs are utilized which are loaded by a common spring or other .force applying means and are under the control of a single yarn tension responsive arm.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a yarn tensioning device in accordance with the pres ent invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 on Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line i4 on Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, there is shown a yarn tension compensating device generally comprising a body member [0, a guide II and two pairs of friction discs l2 through which the yarn passes, as shown in Figural, and a control arm I 4 responsive to yarn tension for effecting separation of the discs to vary the tension applied to the yarn by the discs in the manner described hereinafter.

The base member Iii, as shown, is a generally circular plate formed with a threaded central aperture l 5 and with a radial slot or recess [6 on its rear face which extends upwardly from the aperture (Figure 4). A bushing member B is threaded into the aperture i5, comprising a central aperture '5 and a flange 8, of larger diameter than the aperture it, which is positioned outwardly of the rear face of the plate and has secured thereon an outwardly extending flanged ring 5, the purpose of which will become apparent hereinafter.

A bracket or shelf I? is formed integral with or is secured to the base member ID on the front face thereof, and is provided with a pair of bosses [8 on its upper side. Each boss is formed with an upright sleeve 59 having a vertical aperture 26 extending therethrough. The shelf further is "provided with a depending flange or lug 2| at the underside formed with a horizontal aperture 22 in alignmentwith the bushing aperture 1.

Each pair of discs I 2, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, comprises a lower disc 24 and an upper disc 25 supported on its lower disc. The lower disc has an outer peripheral depending flange 26am). has an inner depending flange 2'! which is somewhat shorter than the flange 26 and defines a central aperture. The upper disc has an upwardly extending, downwardly facing cup-shaped portion 29 provided with an inner diameter about equal to the diameter of the aperture of the lower disc, and has an outer upwardly extending flange 30. The upper and lower discs each have an -=annularisurface 3 i between which the yarn passes "for applying .tension'thereto.

.Theidiscs are mounted on the bracket ll, which xse'rves .as a base therefor, by suitable means,

ipreferablycomprising a disc 32 .having a central a recess 'for receiving the boss wand a sleeve por- -tion 34 'telescoped over the sleeve !9, cushion means such as a felt washer 35- the like sup- ;ported-on the disc 32 on which the outer flange 26 of the lower disc 24 is seated, and a collar 66 telescoped-over the sleeve portion 34 andextending through the central aperture of the lower disc and into the cup-shaped portion 2a of the flipper-disc to provide a central bearing about which theupper and lowerdiscs may rotate freely.

fand-move upwardly and downwardly.

:Each of the upper -discs= is adapted to be moved upwardly and away from its lower disc to relieve the tension applied to the yarn by a pin--31 extending through one of .the apertures 20 and engaging the underside of the upper end of the cup-shaped portion 29. Simultaneous movement of the -pins3'l is adapted to be effected by the control arm 14 in response to tension in the --yarn as it passes through the guide 33 atthe .tree end of the control. arm, as about to be described.

'I he-control arm 14 is secured to a block 4i] having a horizontal aperture 4! through which one end of a shaft 42 extends. This shaft extends through the aperture 1 of the bushing member .6. and through the aperture 22 and is rotatably supported therein. The block also'has' a verticalthreaded aperture 44"pa'rti'ally intersecting the aperture 4! and eccentrically disposed thereof through which a screw 45 extends.

Preie1ably,"tl1e screw'45 (by'reas'on oi the "eccentric location of' the aperture '44) is'offset a predetermined distance from the center of the shaft 4| in relation to the efiective length of the 'arm I4"'(which is the distance from the center of'the' shaft 4! to the outer end of the yarn guide 38 at the free end of the arm), so'that thearm provides a mechanical advantage for the screw as will become apparent hereinafter. For example, the arm and screw may be arranged to provide a fifty-to-one leverage for the latter.

The upper end of the screw 45 has a projec- "tion or 'pin portion 46 thereon extending into an aperture 4'! centrally formed in a transversely upwardly concave-bar 49 for supporting the lower ends of thap-instl. In this mannerdowi Ward movement of the arm l4 about its pivot shaft 42 effects raising of the bar 49, the pins 37 and the upper discs 25.

"In the foregoing described construction, the

"suitable means.

screw 45 serves to key the block 40 on its shaft and to adjust the position of the upper discs 25 with respect to the lower discs for accommodating yarns of difierent diameters.

The upper discs 25 are adapted to be urged against the lower discs 24 by suitable means and movement of the control arm in a direction to raise the discs 25 is adapted to beresisted by These functions maybe advantageously accomplished by a compression spring '48 and a spiral spring 50, respectively, which may besimultaneously adjusted, as about to be described.

The spring'-5!J..is adapted to be housed in a generally circular casing member 5| which has a centralbearing-aperture 52 for rotatably mount-- .ing. the-same on the hub 8 of the bushing 6 and which is held against the rear face of the body :menib'er H] by the flange 9 of the bushing. The outer end of the spring 5! is connected to the .casingzmember in any suitable manner, for exam ple, by anchoring the free end vthereoiinaslit formedinthe outer wall. of the. casing member. .T-heinner end .of the spring. 56, as shown, may be connected to a disc 54 secured to the. shaft 42 for rotation therewith (Figure 4), whereby rotation of -the casing member relative to the bod. member varies the loading of the spring 553. The casing member is adapted to be heldin positions of adjustment by aset-screw operated'clamp 55 mounted on the bodymernber (Figures 2 and 3) which also serves as an index ior'indicia on .the casing member adapted to visually indicate the magnitude of the loading of the spring.

The spring 48 urgesthe upper discs 25 against the lower discs 24 by means of a pressure bar 56 having a pair of felt pads 5! or the like seated on thetop of the cup-shaped portion ofthe upper discs. In order .to mount theispring48 to'fa- 'cilitatevarying the force thereof and .to support the bar 56in operative position, abracket member 66 is provided which comprises a pair of spaced apart depending arms '5! and 62, a depending arm 64 slidably mounted in the slot I6, and a horizontal portion 65 connecting the arms 6| and 62 with the arm 64. The arms 6| andi62 extend through openings 66 formed in th pressure'bar 56whereby'the'bar is retained in alignment with upper discs25 and is adapted to be raised and lowered while so held. The spring 48 is telescoped over the arm 6| (Figures 3.and 4), and its upper end engages the. bracketportion 65 and its lower end engages the pressure bar to urge the same downwardly. Thearm Bl r and the opening 66 through which it"extends.

"justment of the spring 50, as previously indiin of the bracket'member- 60 and consequent loadingof the spring 48 in definite-relation to the loading of-the spring' ifl.

In operation, the yarn to be tensioned by the device is threaded through the guide II, the pairs of discs l2 and the guide 38 at the free end of the arm M, and is passed downwardly, as viewed, to a winding machine or the like. The screw 45 is adjusted to enable the yarn to pass between the discs 24 and 25 with the latter frictionally engaging the yarn to tension the same. The casing member is then positioned to adjust the springs 48 and 50 to respectively provide a force acting downwardly on the upper discs and a torque acting in a direction to resist downward movement of the free end of the arm l4.

By reason of the manner in which the elements of the device are constructed and arranged, this force and torque are in a definite relation to each other at any setting of the casing member 5!. In this manner, an output tension in the yarn moving downwardly from the free end of the arm, which exceeds the desired output tension, causes the arm to raise the discs 25 and thereby lessen the tension they put into the yarn to compensate for the excessive tension, so that the output tension in the yarn is quickly restored to its predetermined value.

In utilizing the device in accordance with the invention, it has been found, that when the yarn is passed through the guide 38 and is led downwardly, the tension in the yarn due to friction increases approximately 50%. Thus, if the output tension of the yarn is to be about 100 grams, the tension of the yarn after leaving the discs and before passing through the guide 38 should be about 66.7 grams, whereby a 50% increase in tension in passing through the guide 38 will pro vide an output tension of about 100 grams. It also has been found that a desired tension can be put into the yarn by applying a force to urge the discs together which is 50% greater than the desired tension. For example, about 66.7 grams tension are put into the yarn by causing the spring 18 to exert a net force of 100 grams acting to urge the discs together.

Assuming that the input tension of the yarn before passing through the discs is zero or negligible, the discs are urged together to put the desired 66.7 grams tension in the yarn by adjusting the spring 48 to apply a force of about 150 grams and adjusting the spring 50 to apply a torque force of about 99 grams at the end of the control arm l4, whereby the yarn leaving the guide 38 exerts a one gram downward force on the arm. This force acting on the control arm, due to the fifty-to-one mechanical advantage about the pivot of the control arm, causes the screw to apply a gram force in opposition to the 150 gram force of the spring 48, whereby the spring applies a net force of about 100 grams to the discs.

In the event tension is applied to the yarn while being delivered to the device with the device adjusted as described, such input tension immediately affects the output tension of the yarn to slightly increase the same, whereby a slightly greater force is applied to the end of the control arm by the yarn and the control arm acts to further decrease the net force applied by the spring 43 to urge the discs together.

For example, it has been found that an input tension of about 10 grams causes the control arm to respond in a manner to apply a force of about grams opposing the spring 48, thereby reducing the net force of the spring acting on the discs to about grams. The discs then put less tension in the yarn than when the input tension is zero to compensate for the increase in input tension, whereby the output tension does not increase appreciably. Under the foregoing conditions the output tension has been found to increase about 0.5 gram. This variation from the preset output tension is so slight that the yarn is not subjected to sudden strains or tension surges and is taken up by the winder under a substantially uniform tension.

One of the advantages of evenly distributing the tensioning force on the yarn between two or more sets of discs is that a knot in the yarn can pass between each set of discs without ofiering as much resistance as in passing through a single set of discs urged together by the entire tensioning force. For example, when two sets of discs are under a spring pressure of about 150 grams, of which 50 grams are relieved by the control arm while acting normally as previously described, thus leaving a net pressure of about grams, each set of discs is individually subjected to a pressure of about 50 grams. A knot or the like which is thicker than the yarn in passing through a set of discs tilts the upper disc against the full spring force eifective thereon, but due to the construction of the disc and the arrangement of the bar 58, a four-to-one mechanical advantage is achieved, whereby the knot need only overcome a force of about 12.5 grams, which is partially compensated by the control arm. In this manner, the discs act as safety valves to allow knots or the like to pass therebetween without high increases in tension which might cause breakage of the yarn. Tests have indicated that knots cause an increase in output tension which does not exceed 10%. The yarn can safely withstand such occasional increases in tension without breakage or impairment thereof.

The device in accordance with the invention has been found capable of tensioning yarn composed of natural fibers or synthetic fibers or filaments and yarns varying over a Wide range of diameter. Uniform tension can be applied to such yarn travelling through the disc at low and high lineal speeds. In practice, excellent compensation and substantially uniform output tension have been attained in yarns containing occasional knots and travelling at speeds of 1200 yards per minute, thereby rendering the device suitable for use in connection with extremely high speed automatic Winding machinery.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the present invention provides an improved compensating device which is simple and economical in construction, can be readily assembled and installed, and can withstand such rough usage to which it normally may be subjected. The device is readily adjusted for a desired tension setting, is easy to thread and is fast in compensation. The device provides for substantially uniform tension with any yarn at any reasonable speed, and permits winding at constant tension regardless of speed, normal back drag, yarn friction, or other variable inherent in yarn. By distributing the tensioning force between two or more sets of spring loaded compensating discs, the yarn can be handled at extreme speedswithout breakages due to knots or rapid tension surges.

The term yarn is used herein in a generic sense, and is intended to include single filaments, assemblages of fibers or filaments, either natural or manufactured, twisted or laid together to form a continuous strand, and a plurality of such strands twisted or braided together.

rac'z'ogsci varlousichanges' mayabe" made .in the form, 'construction.andtarrangement of the parts here- ':in,' withoutrdeparting 'fromtthe spirit and scope -01 :the' invention and without sacrificing any of zitsxxadvantages, ":it'is' to be understood that all matterherein "is to be interpreted as. illustrative and not in any limiting sense.

i. I: claim #1. A device. for tensioning yarn' comprising a pair of disc members for receiving the yarn there- :between, yieldable means for causing one of said "members to. be-urged towardssaid other member, .ai-control member operable by the yarn passing between said members, means for resisting op- "erationof said control member, meansincludin a':mer'nber positively-operated by said control :member' for :engaging one of said disc members =to move th'e same away from said other disc mem- "beig and means for adjusting said last mentioned "means with respect to said control member to.

"position saidp'air of disc members with respect *to each-other to accommodate yarns of different diameters.

2. A device for tensioning yarn comprising a "pair-of members for receiving the yarn there- I between, yieldable'means for causing One-of-said members to be urged towards saidother member, a control member operable by the yarn passing between said pair of members, means for "resistingoperation' of said control member, means including a-memberpositively operated by said control member for engaging one of said =members to move the same away from said other "member, and mechanism for simultaneously and proportionately varying the effectiveness of said yieldable means and said control member operation resisting means.

3. Adevice for tensioning yarn comprising an upper and lower friction disc for receiving the yarn thereb-etween, a base for supporting said lower disc, a pin extending through said base and saidlower disc forengaging said upper disc, a

spring for urging said upper disc towards said lower disc, a control arm operable by the yarn passing between said discs, a spring for resisting operation of said control arm, and means operated-by said control arm for raising said pin to "move saidupper disc away from said lower disc. 4. A device for tensioning yarn comprising an upper friction disc having a downwardly facing central recess, a lower friction disc having a central aperture, a base for supporting said-lower disc; a sleeve on said base extending through said "aperture and into said 'recess, a pin extending through saidsleeve and into said recess, a spring "for'urging said upper disc towards said lower "disc, a control-arm; a spring for resisting opera- "tion of said control'arm, and means operated by "said control arm for raising said pin to move saidupper disc away from said lower disc.

5. A device for tensioning yarn comprising a pair of friction discs for receiving the yarn'therebetween, a spring for causing one of said discs to be. urged towards said other disc, a control arm operable by the yarn passing between said discs, aspringfor resisting operation of' said control arm,..means' including a pin operated by said "controlarm for moving said spring urged disc away from said other disc, and means for adjusting said pin with respect to said control-arm to position the discs with respect to each other to' accommodate yarns of different diameters.

69A device for tensioning yarn comprising a pair of friction discs for' receiving the yarn-therebetween. a spring for causing one 0f 7 said discs to be .1urgeditowards said other -d1sc,"a'-control arm operableby the'yarn passing between :said discs; a spring for resistingoperation of said-con- "itrol arm, means operatedby said control arm-for moving said'urged disc away from said other disc in opposition to said first mentioned spring, and mechanism for simultaneously and proportiona tely varying the effectiveness of said springs.

73A device for tensioning yarn comprising a plurality of pairs of friction discs for receiving the yarn therebetween, each pair 'including'an upper and a lower disc, a base for supporting said lower discs, pins for engaging each of said upper discs extending through said base and said lower discs-means'including a spring for'urging'said upper'discs towards said lower discs, a control arm operable by the yarn passingbetween said pairs of' discs, a. spring for resisting operation of said control arm, and linkage means operated by said control arm and connected. to said pins for raising said pins to move said upper discs away from said lower discs.

8. A device for tensioning yarn comprising a. plurality of pairs of friction discs for receiving the yarn therebetween, each pair including an upper and a lower disc, a base for supporting said lower discs, pins for engaging each of said upper discs extending through said base and said lower discs, means including a spring for urging said upper discs towards said lower'discs, a control arm operable by the yarn passing between said pairs of discs,- a spring for resisting operation of said control arm, linkage means operated by said control arm and connected to said pins for raising said pins to move said upper discs away from said lower discs, and means forproportionally loading said springs.

9. A device for tensioning yarn comprising a plurality of pairs of friction discs for receiving the yarn therebetween, each pair including an upper and a lower disc, a base for supporting said lower discs, pins for engaging each of said upper discs extending through said base and said lower discs, means including a spring for urging said upper discs towards said lower discs, a control arm operable by the yarn passing between said pairs of discs, a spring for resisting operation of said control arm, linkage means operated by said control arm and connected to said pins for raising said pins to move said upper discs away from said lower discs, and means for proportionally loading said springs, said linkage'means including an element for adjusting the position of said pins to position said upper discs with respect to said lower discs-to accommodateyarns of different diameters.

10.!1 device for tensioning yarn comprising a pair of members for receiving the yarn therebetweemmeans for causing one of said members to be urged towards said other member, a control -member operable by the yarn passing between said members, means for resisting operation of said control membena pin for engaging said urged member and moving the same away from said-other member, and means for supporting said including an element mounted on said controlmember.

screw threadedly 11.Adevice for temsioning yarn comprising a pair of members for receiving the yarn therebetween, means including a spring for causing one of said members to be urged towards said other member, control member operable by'the 'yarn passing between said pair of members.

means including a spring for resitsing operation -cf said control member, means cperatedby said control member for causing one of said members to move away from said other member, means operable for varying the efiectiveness of said second spring, and an element operable by said last mentioned means for varying the efiectiveness of said first spring whereby the efiectiveness of said springs is varied simultaneously and proportionately 12. A device for tensioning yarn comprising an upper and lower friction disc for receiving the yarn therebetween, a base for supporting said lower disc, a pin extending through said base and said lower disc for engaging said upper disc, means for urging said upper disc towards said lower disc, a control member operable by the yarn passing between said discs, means for resisting operation of said control member, and means operated by said control member for raising said pin to move said upper disc away from said lower disc.

13. A device for tensioning yarn comprising a plurality of pairs of friction discs for receiving the yarn therebetween, means including a member engaging one disc of all of said pairs of discs and spring means engaging said member for causing all of said last mentioned discs to be urged towards the other disc of each of said pairs of discs, a control member operable by the yarn passing between said pairs of discs, spring means for resisting operation of said control member, and means operated by said control member for moving all of said spring means urged discs away from said other discs in opposition to said first mentioned spring means.

14. A device for tensioning yarn comprising a plurality of pairs of friction discs for receiving the yarn therebetween, each pair including an upper and a lower disc, means including a spring for urging said upper discs toward said lower discs, a control member operable by the yarn passing between said pairs of discs, a spring for resisting operation of said control member, pins 10 for engaging each of said upper discs, a member for supporting said pins, and an element adjustably mounted on said control member for supporting said last mentioned member.

15. A device for tensioning yarn comprising a plurality of pairs of friction discs for receivin the yarn therebetween, each pair including an upper disc and a lower disc, common means acting on each of said upper discs for urging the same against said lower discs including spring means, and means responsive to the tension in the yarn and operable for rendering said spring means at least partially ineffective, and spring means for resisting operation of said last mentioned means.

16. A device for tensioning yarn comprising a base, a plurality of pairs of friction discs for receiving the yarn therebetween, each pair including an upper disc and a lower disc supported on said base, spring means including a member engaging said upper discs for urging said upper discs against said lower discs, and means responsive to the tension in the yarn including means extending through said base operable for rendering said spring means at least partially ineffective.

EDWARD J. HEIZER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,798,516 Beachen Mar. 31, 1931 2,209,839 Long July 30, 1940 2,388,121 Carbonneau Oct. 30, 1945 2,554,493 Heizer May 29, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 257,215 Germany June 13, 1912 

